McDavid Man Charged With Title Fraud, Theft After Selling Truck On Facebook
September 11, 2023
A McDavid man is charged with fraudulently selling a vehicle on Facebook using another person’s name.
Jimmy Robert Wiggins, Jr., 44, was charged with motor vehicle title fraud and grand theft, both felonies.
The victim agreed to pay Wiggins $1,300 for a vehicle he advertised on Facebook Marketplace, according to an arrest report. Wiggins told the victim that the vehicle needed work on the drive shaft in order to be fully operable, but that work would be completed to allow the buyer to drive the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado away.
Wiggins identified himself to the buyer as “Clarence Powell”, providing a bill of sale and title signed by “Clarence Powell”, deputies said, in exchange for the $1,300. But the vehicle would not move when the buyer attempted to drive away, ECSO said, and eventually the purchaser demanded his money back. Two witnesses corroborated the victim’s story to deputies.
Deputies said Wiggins left the residence when he learned the victim was contacting law enforcement.
The vehicle had not been reported stolen.
Wiggins remained in the Escambia County Jail Monday morning with bond set at $10,000. Jail records indicated he also has outstanding warrants from Baldwin County, Alabama, and Okaloosa County.
Bonus Photos: Tate And Northview Fans, Band, Cheerleaders
September 11, 2023
The Tate Aggies defeated the Northview Chiefs in the “Summerford Bowl” last week.
For a bonus photo gallery with the band, fans and cheerleaders, click here.
For a game action story and photos, click here.
Tate (2-1) will hit the road to take on Navarre Friday, while the Northview Chiefs, off to a rough 0-3 start, will host Lighthouse Private Christian Academy in Bratt.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Remembering: Our 9/11 Museum, World Trade Center Site Photos
September 11, 2023
The images are burned in our minds. The sight of two planes crashing into the twin towers of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
The site where the towers fell is a quiet spot in lower Manhattan that is home to the 9/11 Memorial.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
The Memorial remembers and honors the 2,983 people who were killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993. The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two reflecting pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees. The Museum displays monumental artifacts linked to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks and the aftermath.
The Museum’s mission is to bear witness to 9/11. This place of violence is resurrected into a place of peace; a safe gathering place to mourn, comfort, heal and think.
We took our NorthEscambia.com cameras to New York to bring you a look at the museum and reflection pools.
For a photo gallery, click or tap here.
Quick facts:
- There are 2,983 names on the 9/11 Memorial, honoring the 2,977 people killed at the three attack sites on September 11, 2001 and the six people killed in the February 26, 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center.
- The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people. 2,753 people were killed in New York, 184 people were killed at the Pentagon and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.
- The largest loss of life of rescue personnel in American history occurred on September 11, 2001. 343 FDNY firefighters, along with 37 Port Authority Police Department officers and 23 New York Police Department officers, were killed. In total, 441 first responders representing over 30 agencies died on 9/11.
- The Memorial pools stand in the footprints of the Twin Towers. Each pool is one acre in size. There are 413 swamp white oak trees on the Memorial plaza, and one pear tree known as the Survivor Tree.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Inmate Convicted Of Attempted Murder Accused Of Assaulting Century Prison Officer
September 11, 2023
A Century Correctional Institution inmate assaulted a correctional officer recently, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
Inmate Charles Daniels assaulted an officer. He is serving a 20 year sentence for a 2021 attempted second degree murder and armed robbery in Duval County.
“Staff responded appropriately, and the inmate was subdued,” FDC said.
These Are This Week’s Road Construction Slow Down Spots
September 11, 2023
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Sorrento Road (State Road (S.R.) 292) Resurfacing from the Theo Baars Bridge to Bauer Road – The right turn lane from Sorrento Road to Doug Ford Drive and the southbound lane of Sorrento Road near Doug Ford Drive in Escambia County will be closed Sunday, Sept. 10 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. as crews install a mast arm for a new traffic signal. In addition, traffic on Sorrento Road northbound will be temporarily stopped as crews use a construction crane to lift the mast arm into place. The entrance to Perdido Bay Country Club Estates will remain open during these closures. Traffic flaggers will be in place to safely direct drivers in and out of the neighborhood.
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Escambia County Welcome Center – The truck parking lot at the Escambia County Interstate 10 Welcome Center, located at mile marker four, will be temporarily closed until the end of October when the Welcome Center improvements are scheduled to be complete. The front and middle car parking lots are open.
- East Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) Roadway Improvements from Chemstrand Road to east of Baldridge Drive – The bicycle lanes are temporarily closed to allow crews to widen the turn lanes and construct new five-foot bicycle lanes. In addition, the speed limit has been reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph as vehicles and bicycles share the roadway. The closure and speed limit reduction will be in place until the project is complete later this summer.
- U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) Resurfacing between Henry Street and Cottage Street in Century – Northbound and southbound traffic on U.S. 29 (North Century Boulevard) is shifted to one outside travel lane in each direction between Rudolph Street and Green Street. The shift will be in place through September as crews perform drainage improvements. Signage will be in place to safely direct drivers through the work zone.
- Lillian Highway (S.R. 298) Resurfacing from north of U.S. 98 to east of Fairfield Drive (S.R. 727) and Lillian Highway at Blue Angel Parkway (S.R. 173) - Drivers will encounter the following lane closures on Lillian Highway from Friday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 15:
- Daytime lane closures from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., between U.S. 98 and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform drainage work.
- Nighttime lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., between Fairfield Drive and Blue Angel Parkway, as crews perform widening and driveway work.
- County Road (C.R.) 4 over Canoe Creek Bridge – C.R. 4, between Byrneville and Bratt, will be closed through fall 2024 as crews replace the Canoe Creek bridge. Traffic is directed through a 5.6-mile detour using Bratt Road to Pine Barren Road, then back to C.R. 4.
- North Palafox Street (U.S. 29/S.R. 95) Resurfacing from Cervantes Street (S.R. 10A) to Brent Lane (S.R. 296) – Drivers may encounter alternating lane closures, between Cervantes Street and Brent Lane, Friday, Sept. 8 through Friday, Sept. 15 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform sidewalk work.
- Mobile Highway (U.S. 90) Resurfacing from Nine Mile Road (U.S. 90A) to west of Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) - Drivers may encounter nighttime lane closures, between Nine Mile Road and Pine Forest Road, Monday, Sept. 11 through Friday, Sept. 15 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews mill and pave the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- U.S. 98 Widening from Bayshore Road to Portside Drive – Motorists will encounter the following traffic impacts:
- Median and turn-lane closures from Bayshore Road to Tiger Point Drive.
- Intermittent lane closures and additional median closures between Tiger Park Lane and Bayshore Road Monday, Sept. 10, through Friday, Sept. 15, from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for stormwater drainage improvements and paving operations.
- I-10 Resurfacing from S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard) to east of S.R. 87 – Motorists will encounter nighttime east and westbound lane closures Monday, Sept. 11 and Thursday, Sept. 14 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving operations.
- U.S. 90 Bridge Replacement over Simpson River – The outside (right) lane of U.S. 90 eastbound on the Simpson River Bridge will be closed Monday, Sept. 11 and Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. as crews place concrete and receive delivery of construction materials. Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is 35 mph throughout the work zone.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Cpl. JR Spears Coed Softball Tournament Team, Sponsor Registrations Open
September 11, 2023
The Cpl. JR Spears Coed Softball Tournament will be held in October, but now is the time for teams and sponsors to sign up.
The tournament will begin at 8 a.m. on October 7 at Exchange Park with all proceeds going to the Jonathan Ross Spears Memorial Endowed Scholarship fund at Pensacola State College. This will be a coed slow pitch softball double elimination tournament with eight teams.
Team registration is $200. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available ranging from $100 to $1,000. For more information, email John.G.Hills88@gmail.com or call (703) 228-9874.
Corporal Jonathan Ross “JR” Spears was born on June 30, 1984, to Tim and Marie Spears of Molino.
JR grew up in Molino and attended Bratt Elementary, Barrineau Park Elementary and Ransom Middle schools before graduating in 2002 from Tate High School where he was an offensive lineman for the Aggies. Following graduation, he attended Pensacola Junior College where he was on the dean’s list. During this time, JR succeeded in his goal of losing 80 pounds so that he could fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a United States Marine..
JR enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in July 2003, completed recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and graduated the infantry school at Camp Geiger, North Carolina, in February 2004.
JR’s first permanent duty station was with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine regiment, in 29 Palms, California. While stationed there, JR completed several specialized training courses and was particularly proud of receiving his EMT certification. From April through October 2004, he served his first tour of duty in Iraq.
In September 2005, JR and his unit were deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty. On October 23, 2005, JR’s unit was attacked by Iraqi enemy forces in Ar Ramadi, Iraq. JR was killed in action saving another Marines life.
In 2008 the parents of Cpl. JR Spears started an endowment scholarship in his honor. The fund currently has a balance of $32,000 with yearly investment earnings of just over $1,000. Yearly, the investment earnings are awarded as a scholarship to student.
The goal for this and future tournaments is to increase the fund balance to $100,000. At that level, the investment should triple causing the scholarship to be even more helpful all in the name of a hometown hero.
Florida Gas Prices Down 24¢ On Average Since Mid August
September 11, 2023
Florida gas prices declined for the third consecutive week. The state average has now fallen 24 cents per gallon since mid-August.
On Sunday, the state average was $3.61 per gallon. That’s 8 cents less than a week ago, and 24 cents less than this year’s highest daily price of $3.85 per gallon.
The Pensacola metro was the cheapest in the state on average Sunday night at $3.42 A North Escambia low of $3.34 was available at a station on Muscogee Road, while in Pensacola a station on East Nine Mile Road was at $3.19.
“Winter gasoline has moved into the market, enabling gas prices to move lower,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Unfortunately, the downward trend may end soon. Futures prices have strengthened in the fuel market, which should reapply upward pressure on prices at the pump.”
Wahoos Complete Sweep of Rocket City, Set To Being Final Regular Season Series
September 11, 2023
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos wrapped an historic road schedule with yet another win on Sunday afternoon, beating the Rocket City Trash Pandas 9-5 to complete a six-game sweep and extend their winning streak to seven games.
With a week of home games remaining before playoffs begin, the Blue Wahoos finished their time away from Pensacola with a 42-25 record that is tops in the Southern League and by far the best in team history.
Once again, home runs made the difference as the Blue Wahoos went deep four times for the second time in four games. Paul McIntosh opened the scoring with a two-run blast in the first, and Bennett Hostetler and Cody Morissette added solo shots in the second for an early 4-1 lead.
M.D. Johnson allowed two home runs of his own, and surrendered an RBI single to Mariano Ricciardi in the fourth to tie the game 4-4. The Pensacola starter escaped further trouble with a pick-off and a strikeout, preserving the tie and ending his afternoon as the game went to the fifth.
Caleb Wurster (W, 1-1) pitched 3.0 innings of scoreless relief for Pensacola, and Jake Thompson put the Blue Wahoos in front for good with a two-run homer against Ivan Armstrong (L, 2-4) in the sixth.
Morissette added a sacrifice fly in the eighth, and the Blue Wahoos added two more insurance runs on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth before Jefry Yan finished off the Trash Pandas in the bottom half.
The Blue Wahoos completed just their third six-game sweep in team history, and are now a season-high 22 games above .500 at 76-54.
After an off day Monday, the Blue Wahoos begin their final series of the regular season on Tuesday evening against the Mississippi Braves.
written by Erik Bremer
Florida Forestry Hosts Practice Sessions For FFA Students
September 10, 2023
The Florida Forest Service hosted FFA students from several North Escambia schools last week to practice for an upcoming competition.
FFA students from Beulah Middle, Beulah Academy, Ransom Middle, Northview High and Tate high schools took part in the vent at the Roy Hyatt Environmental Center in Cantonment.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Improvement Made To Highway 297A, Pine Forest Road Intersection
September 10, 2023
Traffic turning southbound (right) onto Pine Forest Road from Highway 297A has never had to stop at the traffic light as Pine Forest southbound goes from one lane to two.
But somehow, that was never clear to a lot of drivers.
Escambia County recently made an improvement they hope will get the message across.
Traffic delineator posts — those little white poles that look like a pipe — were installed to guide traffic from Highway 297A right onto southbound Pine Forest Road.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.